Where Did All The Buildings Go?

Let’s Catch Up

Ben Big the Motor Home

This past week the Go Native Team and I really got our tour started. We were able to finally add the final pieces to our puzzle and get this party started. Last Wednesday we able to get our motor home in order and start our journey, with the first stop being Bible Witness Camp to pick up the missionaries and friends.

Bible Witness Camp

First stop? Bible Witness Camp located out in the country of Illinois. Let me start with slightly introducing Bible Witness Camp and kind of what it is. Bible Witness Camp, from my understanding, is a camp focused for the lower income black community in Illinois. It is a camp attached to the churches’ AWANA program where they earn points to be able to go to the camp in the summer. Currently Mary Williams and her friend, our missionary, Joji Bong, run the camp. Our team arrived at the camp on Friday night ready to work and start by Saturday. Saturday we were able to sit down with Bong and really talk out more of what our concerts looked like and also plan for our first concert which was to be Sunday. Sunday came and we were able to get everything in place and successfully put on our very first concert of the summer tour. After a very busy weekend we were ready to move on to the next destination, being Chicago with 2 missionaries, Bong and Leah and 2 advocates for their mission, Mary and Megan.

Down Time Is Needed

Kelsey, Myself, Raleigh, and friend

Although this is considered a “mission trip” it is nice to have a little time to relax, rejuvenate, and have a little fun. Between each destination of the each church Mindy has made it possible for us to have a little fun in between stops. After Bible Witness Camp we left with 2 missionaries and 2 advocates and moved on to Chicago. Our team was able to spend a little time, eat a little Chicago popcorn and pizza and continue down the road to Washburn, Wisconsin to a church called Grace Bible Fellowship.

Grace Bible Fellowship

You know how people always think that Northerners are a little more uptight and not as hospitable? Well, I am glad to say I’m pretty sure that is just New York City because of the amazing hospitably shown to us by Grace Bible Church and its members. We were welcomed into the area on Tuesday by the pastor, who took all of us to our perspective host homes, and were invited to dinner with him and his family at his house. We were able to get our fill of food for the night and headed back to our temporary home and went to bed. The next day people within the church made us lunch and dinner. The pastor and a few others hosted lunch, but for dinner the whole church was invited. One thing I really enjoy about these small-town churches is the family environment it brings. Being with the church members, talking with them, and eating together is like being at a family reunion and is just refreshing.

A New Friend

So far I have made lots of new friends throughout even the beginning of this tour but I would love to share one of my new friends with everyone else. At Grace Bible Church there were tons of people I was able to share with and talk with but one friend really stood out and her name was Rita. Rita is an older woman but she is her own personality and person and I am pretty sure she is still young on the inside. When we were standing around I was able to talk with her and she told me about how she loves to be stylish. She talked and talked about her colorful handbags and her colorful hats as well as all what all the colors meant to her when she wore them. One color that really stood out, the only one I can currently remember was red. Rita said, and I quote “If you see me with a red flower in my hair or my clothes are red, take the long way around me!”

Country Roads on in between churches

I feel as though we will be going to a lot of country churches, which is okay with me because I love the sunrises and sunsets of the country.. as long as we at least go by city every now and then. Everyone we have met and communed with have been so joyful and so filled with God at the same time that it makes being on the road away from my family not so bad. I will admit at first I thought I would have a hard time because I would be “displaced” but visiting all these churches with open arms, as well as having such a great team with me has really made this tour experience so much fun. Thank you all for following me on this journey and your continued prayers throughout this trip. 

Let's Go!

Lets Catch Up!

It has been crazy since I have last updated my blog and I completely apologize for that, but let me fill you in with all the craziness going on here and there at ANM. Last week, Monday, we had been preparing to leave for our “pre-tour” to NYC. Our “pre-tour” was just Mindy, Kelsey, Raleigh, and myself going to NYC, Queens actually, to visit and help a Filipino church put on their VBS.

Welcome To The Philippines

Mindy, our fearless leader, wanted us to go really experience a little bit of the Filipino culture before we actually began touring with them so she arranged for us to go into a Filipino church in Queens, NY called Queens Bible Church. This church is majority Filipino and according to Mindy, is exactly like being overseas. As soon as we entered the church it was like walking into a family reunion. Everyone young, old, was so welcoming and loving that I felt as though I was visiting and meeting family for the first time.

VBS In Action

First of all let me mention that a few years ago Kelsey and myself went with a smaller team of girls from church to record the music for the VBS that we actually helped host at this church. It was really a blessing and encouraging going to a church and actually seeing our songs being performed, used and kids actually enjoying it. Kelsey, Mindy and I were even asked to help sing the songs and help lead the kids with hand motions. I never thought I would be able to go help, see and perform these songs and it truly was an amazing experience.  Once we got there we were asked to help a little bit but mostly they wanted to do anything to serve us.

Hospitality At Its Finest

One thing that surprised me was the hospitality of the Filipinos. The whole point of this “pre-tour” was for our group to come serve and help them out with their VBS but once we got there it was really hard to serve because their culture focuses on serving those around them. It seemed like the entire time it was an on-going battle to see who could serve whom (which is a great battle). On Saturday we were able to help with the dramas that were written into the VBS and also talk with some of the youth of the church. I was able to get to know a few people like RJ, CJ and Immanuel who are only a few of the guys’ names I can remember.  One thing I found super cool was the youth were so all over involved in this VBS willingly and truly loved spending time with the kids. Every night our hosts made sure we got to see the city and anywhere we wanted to go do. Our hosts truly spoiled us and made this “pre-tour” not seem like work but pure fun.

Leaving Queens Bible Church we were able to see 6 kids come to know Christ and tons of donations for Bong’s ministry overseas! There was a whole lot of great things that we saw happen on this trip it makes me even more excited to begin our actual tour. We will be leaving Lynchburg Wednesday and hopefully arriving by Saturday, Lord willing, to make our way to go see Bong at her camp in Illinois. Please continue to pray and send funding as this trip is just beginning!